Social Improvements Will Result
From The Growth of Wisdom in Human Soul
Carlos Cardoso Aveline
After several
millennia of constant social change and countless attempts to “reform the world”
and “make revolutions”, it is nigh time for us to see that there is no real
change for the better in society, unless it comes from, and expresses, an
improvement of the souls of people in the first place.
When human beings change the state of their souls and open themselves to
wisdom and truthfulness, all things terrestrial will naturally heal themselves.
As long as people do the opposite and try to change
society without changing themselves, mediocrity will harvest what mediocrity
has sown. The right kind of social change comes when people think of their
duties, more than about their “rights”. However, one must remember that the
ethical or unethical behaviour of a population does not occur by mere chance.
It does not obey to the wind. It is guided into large extent by something we
may call “the cultural atmosphere of an epoch”.
The Subtle Action of Writers and Leaders
A rare 1918 book on Brazilian philosopher Farias Brito
[1] examines the influence of artists
and writers on human karma.
Social leaders and thinkers have a large-scale
influence which help or hinder ethics and morality in society. Sometimes they
indirectly stimulate crime, lust, violence, and psychological depression.
Classical examples of the problem include “low-astral” books by talented
writers as E. Zola or F. Dostoevsky, to name but two.
In the 21st century, negative feelings and thoughts are transmitted to
millions through newspapers, television, art, music, movies and the Internet.
The issue of cultural negativity is decisive for the
quality of life. Just as there is a physical health to be preserved there is
also an emotional and a mental health, which must be actively defended. It is
probably easier to avoid contaminated food than emotional and mental poisons.
The media are not innocent in such a battle: they cannot be neutral. They
either help human evolution or create obstacles to it.
Well-informed citizens must be vigilant as to what
kind of Art or Journalism they accept or admire. Although the dramatic side of
life is part of human adventure, the dominance of negative feelings prevents
contact with the soul and attracts negative events.
Every department of cultural life - including psychology, art, politics
and literature - should express an awareness of the fact that the future
results from decisions and efforts made in the present. The idea may seem too obvious:
however, acting in accordance with it requires a higher type of intelligence
which is hard to find these days.
It is the duty of citizens of good will to try and
accelerate the collective perception of the karma that results from every
feeling and thought. The right emotional attitude before the world and its
future should grow more quickly than the acceleration of human karma as a
whole. There is no reason to be in a
superficial hurry, and no time to lose. No effort is lost. The teachings of
modern esoteric philosophy were given to the wide public during the last
quarter of 19th century: since then human mind got stronger and sharper.
However, the average level of human thoughts and emotions did not get
purer.
Due to the fact that the strength of human thoughts is
constantly increasing and producing stronger Karmic results, the individual
responsibility of artists, teachers, writers, journalists and vigilant citizens
grows by the day. Media editors, political leaders, businessmen and parents,
are all sources of Karma and responsible before the Law of life.
Improving Human
Karma Here and Now
The feelings and thoughts of citizens get impressed in the “spirit of
the age” or collective karma and
produce an influence over it. No one can avoid the responsibility for his own
mental and emotional productions.
While forms of mediocrity stimulate other forms whose substance is the
same, the creative expressions of the Soul set examples to be followed. Space
and time are connected: narrow minds see narrow events, and visions that are
short in time tend to be small in space. By seeing long-term events we attain
vast horizons and expand individual consciousness towards eternal time.
Unlimited duration relates to infinite space, and the mind that loves infinity liberates
itself from ignorance.
Thoughts create reality, and every individual can help improve human
Karma within his circle of influence.
Right thought is the first and main tool for mankind to create a
civilization that deserves to endure. Theosophists cannot wash their hands of
such a duty. A confidence in oneself, a confidence in life and knowledge of the
eternal law constitute the elixir of happiness.
The flowing results of our mental attitude and physical actions
irradiate towards the world that surrounds us. As wisdom grows,
self-responsibility unfolds. The
atmosphere of our aura is improved by self-discipline and the decision to
aspire for That which is true, good, and eternal.
NOTE:
[1] “Farias
Brito e a Reacção Espiritualista”, by Almeida Magalhães, 125 pp., 1918. See pp. 72-74. The book is available at our associated
websites, including www.CarlosCardosoAveline.com
and www.FilosofiaEsoterica.com.
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An initial
version of the above text was published at the June 2016 edition of “The
Aquarian Theosophist”, pp. 8-10, under the title “Literature, Art, TV and
Thought”. It has no indication as to the
name of the author.
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In September 2016, after a careful
analysis of the state of the esoteric movement worldwide, a group of students decided
to form the Independent Lodge of
Theosophists, whose priorities include the building of a better future in
the different dimensions of life.
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